MCOT, NBTC sign MoU on digital TV broadcasting trial

BANGKOK, Dec 3 - MCOT Plc, Thailand’s leading public broadcaster, and the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commissionm (NBTC) on Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on digital television broadcasting trial.

Natee Sukonrat, chairman of the NBTC broadcasting committee, and executives from three television channels - Modernine TV, channel 5 and Channel 11- have signed the deal for a trial of digital terrestrial broadcasting service.

The three executives were comprised of Anek Permvongseni, President of MCOT Plc; Lt Gen Chatchai Sarikalaya, president of Royal Thai Army Radio and Television Station or TV 5; Theerapong Sodasri, Director General of the Public Ralations Department which operates National Broadcasting Services of Thailand or NBT Channel 11.

Under the MoU, the parties would coordinate in the trial of digital broadcasting, research and study on transmission of digital TV, and to promote the understanding among public on digital broadcasting.

“The trial will take six months. We plan to have during the test, with all perimetre and marketing trial,” Mr Natee said. “I think when all Thai people can see the test, the trial, then everyone will see how important to move from analog to digital.”

The NBTC believes the transformation from analog to digital system could run smoothly in accordance with the 2012-16 master plan for broadcasting.

MCOT executive vice president Sura Gaintanasilp said the cooperation would involve the trial on digital TV broadcasting during the first six months of 2013, with possibility of extension.

“For the first trial, we are planning for the Bangkok and metropolitan area. And the period for testing our trial should be 6 months, and may be extended to another 6 months,” Mr Sura said.

“For the network provider, we think we are ready. For the technical, content providing side, we have to do something. Big task for us.”

The broadcast would cover three main areas - Bangkok, its perimetre and the northern province of Chiang Mai.

The MCOT is also planning to launch another 5 television channels that includes news channel, channel for children and family, and Mondernine in digital format. The digital broadcast trial run by MCOT beginning this week.